How long can Australians stay in Europe without a visa?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the 29 Schengen countries. Australia also has bilateral agreements with ten Schengen countries; you can use one of them on top of the 90 days, under that country's conditions.

Which countries have bilateral agreements with Australia?

Smartraveller lists Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. You can use only one, usually at the end of your Schengen trip, and each country applies it differently.

Do Australians need ETIAS yet?

No. As of 28 September 2026 ETIAS is not in operation. When it starts it will cost €20 and last three years or until your passport expires. The EU will announce the date several months ahead.

Guide

Schengen 90/180 rules for Australians

Australians can travel to the Schengen Area for short trips without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Australia also has bilateral visa waiver agreements with ten Schengen countries, which can allow one extra stay under specific conditions.

Facts checked 28 September 2026. Entry rules change. Confirm them with the official source linked in each section before you travel.

Visa-free, but only for short stays

Smartraveller says your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave, and must have been issued within the last 10 years.

The 90 days cover all 29 Schengen countries together. Moving from one Schengen country to another does not restart anything.

Source: Smartraveller: travelling to Europe and the Schengen area

EES: your days are now counted at the border

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational at every external Schengen border since 10 April 2026. It applies to Australians on short stays and replaces passport stamps.

On your first entry it records your passport details, a facial image and four fingerprints. After that, every entry and exit is logged with its date and place. Children under 12 are not fingerprinted.

The system counts your days for you. If you stay past 90 days in any 180, you are listed as an overstayer automatically — no stamp needs to be read.

Smartraveller notes the record is tied to you, not your passport, so switching passports does not hide an overstay, and warns of long queues at some European airports.

Sources: EU: EES FAQ; EU: data held by the EES; European Commission: EES fully operational (10 April 2026); Smartraveller: travelling to Europe and the Schengen area

ETIAS: not in operation yet

ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. When it starts, Australians will need one before travelling to Schengen countries and Cyprus. It will cost €20 (no fee under 18 or over 70) and last three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

As of 28 September 2026 it is not running and no applications are being taken. The EU has said it will announce the start date several months in advance, followed by a transition period in which travellers without ETIAS are not refused. ETIAS will not change the 90/180 rule.

Sources: EU: what is ETIAS; European Commission: ETIAS will cost EUR 20; EU: ETIAS timeline explained

Australia's bilateral agreements

Smartraveller lists bilateral visa waiver agreements with ten Schengen countries. Some of them allow Australians to stay beyond the 90-day limit under specific conditions.

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
You can use only one bilateral agreement in addition to your 90 Schengen days.
Tell the border guard when you first enter Schengen that you plan to use a bilateral agreement.
Most countries expect you to use the extra time at the end of your Schengen travel.
Each country operates its agreement in its own way. Check with that country's embassy before you rely on it.

Source: Smartraveller: travelling to Europe and the Schengen area

Example: how Denmark applies it

Denmark's immigration service says Australians may stay up to three months counted from their first entry into Denmark or another Nordic country, regardless of earlier time elsewhere in Schengen. Time in Denmark or another Nordic country in the previous six months is deducted.

France and Italy are often listed on travel blogs. Neither is on the Australian government's list.

Sources: Danish Immigration Service: visa-free visits; Smartraveller: travelling to Europe and the Schengen area

The 90/180 count itself does not change

Whatever passport you hold, the count works the same way. On every day you are inside Schengen, look back 180 days. The days you were present must not exceed 90. The day you arrive and the day you leave both count. All 29 Schengen countries share one pool of days.

See it worked through with real dates in the Schengen calculator for Australians.

Check your own dates

Add your past stays and see how many of your 90 days you have used, and the last day you can stay if you entered today. Built for Australians and anyone else on a visa-free short stay.

Open the Schengen calculator Plan a trip

Common questions

How long can Australians stay in Europe without a visa?: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the 29 Schengen countries. Australia also has bilateral agreements with ten Schengen countries; you can use one of them on top of the 90 days, under that country's conditions.
Which countries have bilateral agreements with Australia?: Smartraveller lists Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. You can use only one, usually at the end of your Schengen trip, and each country applies it differently.
Do Australians need ETIAS yet?: No. As of 28 September 2026 ETIAS is not in operation. When it starts it will cost €20 and last three years or until your passport expires. The EU will announce the date several months ahead.